Most car accidents come down to driver error. This can include a speeding driver who cannot slow down to avoid an accident or a distracted driver who does not see a passenger crossing at an intersection. However, some accidents are caused by a defect of the vehicle itself. 

Nissan Recall for Defective Hoods

Millions of Nissan Altimas have been sold to drivers in the U.S. Unfortunately, a defective design may be putting drivers and others on the road at risk of an accident. The Nissan Altimas sold from 2013 to 2018 could have a faulty hood latch. If the latch fails, the front hood could open while driving. 

Imagine you are driving down I-70 traveling at 70 miles per hour. Suddenly, the hood flies up in front of you, blocking your view. This type of problem could easily cause a vehicle accident, injuring the driver, passengers, and other drivers. Failure to notify drivers of the problem or failing to fix the repair could put thousands at risk of serious injury or death. 

Multiple Nissan Hood Defect Recalls 

This is not the first time the automaker has recognized the problem. Recalls to address this problem started back in 2014. Many vehicles were fixed between 2014 and 2016, but even those vehicles may need to be brought back in for further repairs. 

According to Consumer Reports, Nissan reported at least 16 crashes or injuries involving Nissan Altimas from model years 2016 through 2018. Those reports included drivers who had the hood open unexpectedly while driving. More than 1.8 million vehicles may be affected by the problem. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2020 recall campaign number 20V315000 states: 

“Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.”

Unfortunately, for drivers at risk of an accident caused by the defective hood latch, Nissan is still developing a way to fix the problem. According to the recall notice, “the remedy for this recall is still under development. Nissan will provide an interim notice to instruct owners how to properly maintain the latch and include a reminder to fully close the hood and engage the primary hood latch each time before driving. This recall is expected to begin June 22, 2020.”

Claim for Drivers Injured by a Vehicle Defect

Drivers and passengers who are injured in an accident caused by a vehicle defect may be able to file a claim against the vehicle manufacturer. In a product liability lawsuit, the injury victim can file a claim to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses associated with the accident. Product defect lawsuits are generally classified by the type of defect: 

• Design defect,
• Manufacturing defect, or
• Failure to warn defect. 

If you have any questions about an injury accident or want to get more information about a claim for damages, consult with an experienced Denver auto accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective car or auto part, contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.